''Mitridate, re di Ponto'' (''

Mithridates Mithridates or Mithradates ( Old Persian 𐎷𐎡𐎰𐎼𐎭𐎠𐎫 ''Miθradāta'') is the Hellenistic form of an Iranian theophoric name, meaning "given by the Mithra". Its Modern Persian form is Mehrdad. It may refer to: Rulers *Of Cius (al ...

, King of Pontus''), K. 87 (74a), is an

opera seria ''Opera seria'' (; plural: ''opere serie''; usually called ''dramma per musica'' or ''melodramma serio'') is an Italian musical term which refers to the noble and "serious" style of Italian opera that predominated in Europe from the 1710s to abo ...

in three acts by the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The

libretto A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the t ...

is by , after Giuseppe Parini's Italian translation of Jean Racine's play '' Mithridate''. Mozart wrote ''Mitridate'' while touring Italy in 1770. The musicologist

Daniel E. Freeman Daniel Evan Freeman (born 27 April 1959) is an American musicologist who specializes in European art music of the eighteenth century, in particular the musical culture of eighteenth-century Prague and the Bohemian lands. He is also active as a ...

has demonstrated that it was composed with close reference to the opera ''

La Nitteti ''La Nitteti'' is an 18th-century Italian opera in 3 acts by the Czech composer Josef Mysliveček. It was composed to a libretto by the Italian poet Metastasio that was first performed in 1756, one of the newer (and less popular) of the Meta ...

'' by Josef Mysliveček. The latter was the opera being prepared for production in Bologna when Mozart met Mysliveček for the first time with his father in March 1770. Mysliveček visited the Mozarts frequently in Bologna during the summer of 1770 while Wolfgang was working on ''Mitridate''. Mozart gained expertise in composition from his older friend and also incorporated some of his musical motifs into his own operatic setting. The opera was first performed at the Teatro Regio Ducale, Milan, on 26 December 1770 (at the Milan Carnival). It was a success, performed 21 times despite doubts because of Mozart's extreme youth – he was 14 at the time. No revival took place until the 20th century. The opera features virtuoso arias for the principal roles, but only two ensemble numbers: the act 2 ending duet between Aspasia and Sifare ("Se viver non degg’io"), and the brief quintet that ends the opera in a manner characteristic of standard baroque

where the opera ends with a short ''coro'' or '' tutti'' number.

Roles

Synopsis

:Place: around the Crimean port of Nymphæum :Time: 63BC during the conflict between Rome and Pontus

Prologue

Mitridate, having suffered a heavy defeat in battle, is presumed dead. This incorrect news is passed by Arbate, the Governor, to Aspasia (Mitridate's fiancée) and to Farnace and Sifare (Mitridate's sons).

Act 1

''Scene 1'' Arbate, the governor of Nymphæum, welcomes Sifare. We learn that Sifare resents his brother, Farnace, because of his brother’s strong ties with their enemies, the Romans. Arbate pledges his loyalty to Sifare. Aspasia pleads for Sifare to help her against advances by Farnace. He accepts her plea and reveals his love for her. ''Scene 2'' Farnace makes his advances to Aspasia. She refuses, supported by Sifare, who protects her from his forceful brother. News arrives that Mitridate is alive and is approaching the city. Arbate urges the brothers to conceal their differences and greet their father. The brothers agree to hide their feelings for Aspasia. Farnace conspires with Marzio, Roman legionary officer, against Mitridate. ''Scene 3'' Mitridate arrives on the shores of Nymphæaum with Princess Ismene, daughter of his ally the King of Parthia. Mitridate wants Farnace to marry Ismene, his promised bride. Ismene is in love with Farnace but senses problems and is worried about her future. Arbate tells Mitridate that Farnace is pursuing Aspasia, not mentioning Sifare. The jealous Mitridate swears revenge on Farnace.

Act 2

''Scene 1'' Farnace scorns and threatens Ismene. She tells Mitridate, who suggests that she should marry Sifare. Mitridate asks Aspasia for immediate marriage but she hesitates, proving to him that she is unfaithful. Aspasia confesses love to Sifare but they both agree to part to save their honour. Sifare plans to leave and Aspasia is troubled by the conflict between love and duty. ''Scene 2'' Mitridate is aware of Farnace's plot against him with the Romans; he plans his revenge, despite Marzio’s offer of peace, and arrests Farnace to execute him. Ismene rescues the prince, who admits his treachery but implicates Sifare. Mitridate tricks Aspasia into admitting her love for Sifare and swears revenge. Aspasia and Sifare wish to die together, in fear of Mitridate’s threats.

Act 3

''Scene 1'' Ismene, still in love with Farnace, tries to convince Mitridate to forgive Aspasia. The Romans attack and Mitridate leaves for battle. Aspasia contemplates suicide by poison. Sifare also wants to die, and joins his father in the battle. ''Scene 2'' Marzio liberates Farnace and promises him the rule of Nymphæum. Farnace changes his mind, deciding to side with Mitridate. ''Scene 3'' Defeated, Mitridate commits suicide, avoiding captivity. Before he dies he gives his blessing to Sifare and Aspasia and forgives Farnace, who now agrees to marry Ismene. All four pledge to free the world from Rome.

Noted arias

''Act 1'' * "Soffre il mio cor con pace" - Sifare * "Nel sen mi palpita" – Aspasia * "Parto : nel gran cimento" – Sifare * "Quel ribelle" – Mitridate * "Se di lauri" – Mitridate * "In faccia all'oggetto" – Ismene * "L'odio nel cor" – Arbate * "Al destin che la minaccia" – Aspasia * "Soffre il mio cor" – Sifare * "Venga pur, minacci" – Farnace ''Act 2'' * "Già di pietà mi spoglio" – Mitridate * "Lungi da te" – Sifare * "Nel grave tormento" – Aspasia * "So quanto a te" – Ismene * "Son reo; l'error confesso" – Farnace * "Tu che fedel" – Mitridate * "Va, l'error mio palesa" – Farnace ''Act 3'' * "Ah ben ne fui presaga…Pallid' ombre" – Aspasia * "Già dagli occhi" – Farnace * "Se di regnar" – Marzio * "Se il rigor d'ingrata sorte" – Sifare * "Tu sai per che m'accese" – Ismene * "Vado incontro" – Mitridate In 1901, Charles Malherbe located previously uncatalogued works of Mozart, including a soprano aria from the opera ''Mitridate, re di Ponto'', written at age 14. It was performed that year in Paris by Camille Fourrier.

Recordings

*1971: Mozarteum, Salzburg; Mozarteum-Orchester Salzburg, Leopold Hager/ Edda Moser,

Arleen Augér Joyce Arleen Auger (sometimes spelled Augér ; September 13, 1939 – June 10, 1993) was an American soprano, known for her coloratura voice and interpretations of works by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Monteverdi, Mozart, and Schubert. She won a posthum ...

, Helen Watts, Pilar Lorengar,

Peter Schreier Peter Schreier (29 July 1935 – 25 December 2019) was a German tenor in opera, concert and lied, and a conductor. He was regarded as one of the leading lyric tenors of the 20th century. Schreier was a member of the Dresdner Kreuzchor conducte ...

Peter Baillie Peter Baillie (1771 – 1 September 1811) was a British West Indies merchant, and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1807 to 1811. Baillie was the eldest son of Evan Baillie of Dochfour and his wife Mary Gurley, daughter of Pet ...

, Reingard Didusch (CD) *1977: Mozarteum, Salzburg; Mozarteum-Orchester Salzburg, Leopold Hager; Werner Hollweg,

, Edita Gruberová,

Agnes Baltsa Agni Baltsa ( el, Aγνή Mπάλτσα; also known as Agnes Baltsa; born 19 November 1944) is a leading Greek mezzo-soprano singer. Baltsa was born in Lefkada. She began playing piano at the age of six, before moving to Athens in 1958 to concen ...

, Ileana Cotrubas, David Kübler,

Christine Weidinger Christine Weidinger (born March 31, 1946) is an American operatic soprano who has had an active international career in operas and concerts since the early 1970s. Her career started at the Metropolitan Opera, after which she was active as a residen ...

(CD, The Complete Mozart Edition, Vol. 29, 1991 ( Philips Classics Records). 1991) *1986: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle 1986 film,

Nikolaus Harnoncourt Johann Nikolaus Harnoncourt or historically Johann Nikolaus Graf de la Fontaine und d'Harnoncourt-Unverzagt; () (6 December 1929 – 5 March 2016) was an Austrian conductor, particularly known for his historically informed performances of music ...

Gösta Winbergh Gösta Winbergh (30 December 1943 – 18 March 2002) was a Swedish tenor. Early life Winbergh was born in Stockholm. There was no musical tradition in Winbergh's family. He himself was a building engineer when he watched his first opera perform ...

Yvonne Kenny Yvonne Kenny AM (born 25 November 1950) is an Australian soprano, particularly associated with Handel, Mozart and bel canto roles. Biography Born in Sydney, she first studied at the University of Sydney in science, hoping to become a biochemi ...

, Ann Murray (DVD) *1986: Opéra de Lyon (Jean-Claude Fall, director), Theodor Guschlbauer/ Rockwell Blake, Ashley Putnam, Yvonne Kenny,

Brenda Boozer Brenda Boozer (born January 25, 1948) is an American mezzo-soprano who has had an active international career performing in operas and concerts since the mid 1970s. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for 11 seasons. Biogra ...

(DVD) *1993: Royal Opera House, Paul Daniel/ Bruce Ford, Jochen Kowalski, Ann Murray,

Luba Orgonášová Luba may refer to: Geography * Kingdom of Luba, a pre-colonial Central African empire *Ľubá, a village and municipality in the Nitra region of south-west Slovakia * Luba, Abra, a municipality in the Philippines *Luba, Equatorial Guinea, a town ...

(DVD) *1997 Salzburg Mozart Week,

Roger Norrington Sir Roger Arthur Carver Norrington (born 16 March 1934) is an English conductor. He is known for historically informed performances of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music. In November 2021 Norrington announced his retirement. Life Norr ...

/Bruce Ford,

Vesselina Kasarova Vesselina Kasarova ( bg, Веселина Кацарова; born 18 July 1965) is a Bulgarian operatic mezzo-soprano. Early life and education Kasarova was born in the central Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora. Under the communist regime she studie ...

Cyndia Sieden Cyndia Sieden (born September 10, 1961) is an American coloratura soprano on the opera and concert stages. Biography Cyndia Sieden was born in 1961 in California, USA, and received her first vocal instruction there. A significant early milesto ...

, Christiane Oelze (CD) *1998: Christophe Rousset/

Giuseppe Sabbatini Giuseppe Sabbatini (born 11 May 1957 in Rome, Italy) is a lyric tenor, orchestra conductor, conductor, and double-bassist. His opera repertoire includes ''Idomeneo'', ''Mitridate, re di Ponto'', ''Don Giovanni'', ''Linda di Chamounix'', ''La favo ...

, Brian Asawa, Cecilia Bartoli, Natalie Dessay (CD) *2006: Salzburg Festival,

Marc Minkowski Marc Minkowski (born 4 October 1962) is a French conductor of classical music, especially known for his interpretations of French Baroque works, and is the current general director of Opéra national de Bordeaux. His mother, Mary Anne (Wade), i ...

/ Richard Croft, Bejun Mehta,

Miah Persson Miah Persson (born 27 May 1969 in Örnsköldsvik) is a Swedish soprano, active internationally and in recordings. Career Miah Persson grew up in Hudiksvall, singing in choirs and taking part in amateur drama productions. After studying social sci ...

(DVD)

References

Notes Sources *Bourne, Joyce, "''Mitridate, re di Ponto''", ''Who's Who in Opera''. Oxford University Press, 1998. *Latham, Alison, "''Mitridate, re di Ponto''", '' The Oxford Companion to Music''. London: Oxford University Press, 2002 * Warrack, John and Ewan West, "''Mitridate, re di Ponto''", ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera''. Oxford University Press, 1996.

External links

*
Opera on DVD: ''Mitridate''
by Charles T. Downey (Ionarts, 22 August 2006]
Mozart-Tower mp3 clips from this operaLibretto''Mitridate, re di Ponto''
at the Internet Movie Database {{Authority control Operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Italian-language operas Opera seria Operas based on plays Operas based on works by Jean Racine 1770 operas Operas